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Updated: May 10, 2026
Optimization of a Multiplex RNA-based Expression Assay Using Breast Cancer Archival Material
Published on: August 1, 2018
Expression of c-kit protein in cancer vs. normal breast tissue
Abdolhassan Talaiezadeh1, Seyed Nematollah Jazayeri, Jamal Nateghi
1Department of Surgery, Imam Khomeini Hospital, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
Aim Of The Study:
There are at least four main signal transduction pathways within human cells which are activated by interaction of an extracellular ligand with its corresponding receptors. One of them is activation of protein kinase. Actually, any of these proteins at any level of the signaling cascade in a human cell can undergo mutation and cause irregular cellular proliferation and finally result in cancer. C-kit is alternatively called stem cell factor receptor (SCFR) or CD117. It appears that lack of c-kit expression accompanies progression of some tumors, e.g. lung, breast, GIST. The aim of this study was to evaluate C-kit protein expression level within cancer cases.
Material And Methods:
Sixty specimens of breast cancer and 60 non-cancerous breast tissue specimens were evaluated by IHC for C-kit presentation. We used positive GIST slides as controls. Epi-info ver 6.04 (CDC, WHO) was used for analysis.
Results:
C-kit was negative in all breast cancer specimens. C-kit was negative in 47 (78%) of 60 non-cancerous breast tissue specimens, but was positive in 13 (22%) of them (p < 0.0001).
Conclusions:
There is a reduction in C-kit expression with malignant transformation of breast epithelium. C-kit is believed to play a role in breast carcinogenesis. However, we should follow patients with normal or benign breast tissue to indicate any correlation between C-kit presentation and breast cancer development.
Insights
C-kit protein expression was absent in all breast cancer tissues studied. While present in some normal breast tissue, its reduction during malignant transformation suggests a role in breast carcinogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Signaling
Background:
- Signal transduction pathways regulate cellular functions.
- Mutations in these pathways can lead to cancer.
- C-kit (CD117) is a receptor tyrosine kinase implicated in various cancers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate C-kit protein expression in breast cancer.
- To determine if C-kit expression levels correlate with malignant transformation of breast epithelium.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to evaluate C-kit expression.
- Sixty breast cancer and 60 non-cancerous breast tissue specimens were analyzed.
- Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) slides served as positive controls.
Main Results:
- C-kit expression was negative in all evaluated breast cancer specimens.
- C-kit was positive in 22% of non-cancerous breast tissues, versus 0% in cancerous tissues (p < 0.0001).
- A significant reduction in C-kit expression was observed in malignant breast tissue compared to benign tissue.
Conclusions:
- C-kit expression is reduced during the malignant transformation of breast epithelium.
- C-kit may play a role in breast carcinogenesis.
- Further studies are needed to correlate C-kit presentation with breast cancer development in patients with normal or benign breast tissue.
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